Click here to view a demo report:
Click here to view product manuals:

The new PV Studio design software from The SolarPathfinder Company is a valuable tool for installers. It allows customers to create advanced PV reports.

This program will allow the installers to minimize the time involved in designing a system and maximize the output production of their system. With this program the user can design the shape of the roof, select their inverters and panels, and arrange the panels all on one page.

At the job site, instead of walking around on the roof to determine the best location for the panels to be placed, simply take a photo at every corner of the roof. Once these photos have been loaded into the software, the user will be able to see a heat map displayed. This will let the user know the shading percentages for each location on the roof, and therefore determine which location would provide the maximum output for the array.

Another feature in PV Studio allows you to copy your original design and make changes such as the tilt angle, panel orientation, or even the location and number of panels. The Energy Production box will show the projected output per month and annual production totals for both the original and modified design.

New features to version 2 include the ability to:
• Provide multiple array orientations/tilts within the same report.
• See client’s energy usage history alongside system output.
• Create fast reports with the new disable module layout.
• Make reports for ground or roof mounted systems.
• Overlay panels with the new site image feature.

Click here to view a demo report:

Basic Features

• Computes monthly sunpaths for specific latitude
• Contains World weather data (WMO/NREL)
• Enhanced exports capabilities (.pdf, .csv, jpg, etc.)
• Imports into other software
• Computes Optimal Orientation for given shading
• Maintains Report Health Diagnostics
• Uses English or Metric Units
• Generates fully customizable reports (use your business name/logo, etc)
• Multiple array orientation(s)/tilt(s) and design(s) within the same report.

PV Features

• Contains PV panel list of Makes/Manufacturers (drops in panel specs)
• Contains inverter list of Makes/Manufacturers (drops in inverter specs and derate)
• Allows for input of specs for panels and inverters not listed
• Exports into other software (OnGrid, PowerClerk, etc.)

INPUT:

• New Feature! Import shade data from a Solmetric SunEye 210
• Digital Photo of the reflection from the SolarPathfinder unit
• Latitude/Longitude or US zip code
• Select from a huge list of Panels and Inverters, or input custom Panels and Inverters
• System loss percentage or derate factor (can be calculated)
• Custom array layout configuration
• Customize srray strings to reduce shade impacts

OUTPUT:

• Azimuth/Altitude Data
• Ideal tilt/azimuth for site w/ given shading
• Ideal solar radiation w/o shading (kw/m2/day)
• Actual Solar Radiation w/ & w/o shading (kw/m2/day)
• Ideal AC Energy w/o shading (KWH)
• Actual AC Energy w/ & w/o shading (KWH)
• PVWatts Unshaded % Actual site
• Actual/Ideal site Efficiency %
• CSI-EPBB
• Total Solar Resource Fraction (TSRF)
• Actual Cost Savings

Difference between the PV Studio and the Assistant 5 PV

The biggest difference between these two software versions is the beginning premise. The Assistant 5 PV assumes that the user has determined where to locate the array and that they have taken photos somewhere in the array location. Once these photos have been loaded and traced, the software will provide the output.
The Assistant 5 PV is also limited to one (1) array orientation/tilt per report.

The PV Studio software is a design software. Instead of the user having to determine where to locate the array, the user will take a reading at each corner of the roof. In the software they will design the roof and input the roof dimensions. Once they load each photo and place it at the proper location on the roof design, the software will show the solar insulation percentages for every location on the roof so the user can arrange the panels to receive maximum output. The PV Studio also allows the user to copy their design to compare different options, as well as multiple array orientation(s)/tilt(s) within the same report.

You can learn more by watching our demonstration videos here: